Huldine is a type three prune, meaning you prune it down to a few buds every spring since it blooms on new wood. Since the plant wasn't established when it was growing the lower part of the vines, no buds were set. Now that it has a few more leaves it has some energy to set buds. Some folks hard prune their clematis during the growing season at least once during the first season so that more energy goes into growing more vines and roots rather than flowers, and they get a stouter vine the next year with more stems. I rarely get around to doing this, but I do prune hard the first winter regardless of the ongoing pruning style.

I know you didn't ask this, but do you realize that you will need a taller, stouter trellis for Huldine, most likely starting next year? It is a large, quite vigorous vine, and depending on what other clematis you have planted there (or are they all Huldines?), you may want to move one or more of them as it can take up quite a bit of real estate. I do grow some of my clematis onto shrubs, usually starting with smaller obelisks like yours, but Huldine would require a shrub large enough to support it and not be smothered and I am not sure that either of the shrubs in your photo are big enough.

Here is an article from the International Clematis Society on Huldine that includes size estimates.

The plant was about 8" high, all the rest is new. That's why I was wondering why there aren't lower buds. I plan on pruning late winter, but I need to enjoy this now because of all the TlC and buckets of sweat. lol

I plan on adding more obelisks, probably a tall one in the center. It's in the prime spot for Clematis. If I'm lucky enough and it gets pretty thick, I'll just keep trimming it back a bit. I don't plan on having them on the Roses.

There are two Huldines and a Wildfire, and it's barely growing. I wanted to intertwine them together, but the Wildfire may not make it. Who knows?

Remember the old clematis that came back? It bloomed the first week of July, and has since stopped. Which type do you think it is, 1, 2, or 3? It seems one type needs to be pruned after blooming, not sure which one. I still wish I could identify it.

Type 1's are all species clematis, bloom very early on old wood and do not require pruning (except now and again to control size). The vast majority of large flowered hybrids are type 2's. They generally start blooming around April/May depending on location and may or may not have a later summer rebloom. Type 3 clems bloom on growth that is produced the current growing season so a later blooming vine. There are quite a few LFH's included with type 3 but the vast majority of these vines are species or very close to species hybrids and are best hard pruned each year. If you don't mind delaying the initial bloom period somewhat, type 2's and 3's can be pruned the same, down to the third set of leaf axils in late winter or early spring.

Your mystery clem is probably a type 2 that has a late season bloom. The fact that it was resurrected from the dead may be why it bloomed later than typical this year :-)

As is common with most vining plants, blooms will be produced at the terminal ends so nearly always at the top of the plant........unless you wind the vines down low or the vine gets large enough to drape down on itself..

Thanks, gardengal. I'll make a point to prune both next year. I took the pictures above this morning & in the second picture you can see where the top of the vine is standing straight up, about a foot higher than the obelisk. I looked at it a few minutes ago and that girl not only laid down but hooked herself to the fishing line. Very proud. :)

My flowerbed is full of blister beetles. First time ever. I haven't seen them on the Clematis...yet.

Oakley , I don't know anything about huldine , but wanted to say I love the photo you have shared , it looks like a lovely area even if they will quickly outgrow the obelisk . I planted a huldine but before it could grow up the hydrangea around it swallowed it up. So I'm going to dig it out when I can get in there, if possible .

After the first flush has passed my Huldine continues with a few blooms throughout the season. Japanese Beetles have found this clematis as white blossoms seem to attract them. They don't appear to have bothered the other clematis. A cold front moved in last night leaving us with midfiftyF temps. Only found one JB when I went out to knock them into a bowl of soapy water.

Thank you Lily. Mn, the Japanese Beetles arrived here a week or so ago and so far I don't see any on the plant. I've had a lot of Blister Beetles though, and I'm doing a good job getting rid of them.

I'm loving the white flowers among the pink and tangerine Roses. Beautiful contrast.

20 ft ?! Oy. I am horrible with plant sizes and believing they will get as big as they promised. When I move it I have no idea where it will go!